On June 19th, 1865, Union General Gordon Granger arrived in Galveston, Texas, and announced that all enslaved people in United States were free. In accordance with the Emancipation Proclamation issued by President Abraham Lincoln on January 1, 1863, this moment formally recognized the liberation of Black Americans. This announcement came more than two years after the proclamation, making Texas the last Confederate state where slavery was effectively abolished.
Today called Juneteenth, also known as Emancipation Day or Freedom Day, the holiday is celebrated with parades, cultural events, and family gatherings. It recognizes the freedom of all Americans, while promoting and cultivating knowledge and appreciation of Black history and culture.
In recent years, Juneteenth has gained broader recognition, and on June 17, 2021, it was formally declared a federal holiday in the United States. The day serves as a reminder of the long and ongoing struggle for civil rights and the equality of all American citizens.
The Joy Trip Project celebrates the enduring legacy of Black American History. The Unhidden Minute is part of the Unhidden Podcast Project supported through a National Geographic Explorer Grant from the National Geographic Society, with the cooperation of the National Park Service. This series elevates the untold stories of Black American historical figures, events and cultural contributions.
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